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(No ModeL) AERIAL SHIP.'

Patented Peb. l, 1887.

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AERIAL SHR.

No. 356,743. Patented Feb. 1,1887.

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AERIAL SHIP. l No. 356,743. Patented Peb. v1, 1887.

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l AERIAL SHIP. No. 2,565,743. Patented Peb. 1, 18874.

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SECFICATIN forming part of Letters Patent No. 356,743, dated February 1,1887.

Appllcuion (ill-d March QU, i856. Serial Xo. 197,000.

To a-ZZ whom, t may concern,.-

Be it known that l, MARTIN B12-AU N, of Cape Vincent, in the countg1 ol'Jei'ferson and State of New York; have invented certain new and usefulImproveincntsin Aerial Ships;of which the following is u speciiication.

My invention relates to aerial ships, and the improvements relate moreparticularly to the ship described in Letters Patent issued to mehearing date February 8, 18N), numbered 99.629.

ln the drawings, Figure 1 isa side elevation of my improvedballoon-ship; Fig. 2, abottom plan View; Fig. 3, a top plan view ofthedriving apparatus; Fig. e; un end vieu of the ship, partlj;T insection; Figs. 5, 6, 1li, and 15, views illustrating details ol' thepropeller-s; Figs. 7 and 8; detail views relating to the regulator ofthe driving apparatus; Figs. 9 und 10, detail views of the rudderoperating mechanism; Figs. 1l and 12; views illustrating certaindetails; Fig. 13, a longitudinal central section showing the relativearrangement of the various parts; Fig. 16, a perspective view of twocells, seperated; which form a port of the balloon; Fig. 17,aperspective view of one oi' the cells, placed at and forming the endsof the balloon; Fig. 18; a plnn viewof the sheet of which the cells areformed; and Fig. 19 a perspective view of n. frame or former used inconstructing the cells of metal.

Asin my former patent above referred to, the ship consists of threeprincipal pnrts-viz.,the gasholder orballoon, theboat orbody, and themechanism by which it is elevated; propelled; und steered.

The gas-holder or balloon A is of elliptical shape in plan, ofsemicircular form approximatclj,T in cross-section, und is arranged withits convex side uppermost. The balloon or holder is composed of e seriesof cells or chant bers, 1 2 3 el 3 2 1, cach of which is in itself anair-tight gas-holder, and which, when in place upon the platform, givethe desired shape to the balloon. 1n Figs. 16 end 17 are shown three ofthese cells, the tivo represented in Fig. 16 being such as would be usedabout in the midelength of the ballon,\vhile that shown in Fig. 17 wouldbe used et the ends to give the desired taper. It Will be noticed thatthe base and contiguous faces of the cells or chambers ere straight,While the exterior face is curved (No model.) Patented in Germany March5, 1885, No. 34,853.

to conform to and give the desired curvature; both longitudinally andtransversely, to the balloon or holder as a Whole: The Wells of thecells or gasholders may be made of sill; or other fabric impervious toair; or they may be mede of thin sheets of aluminium. When the textilematerial is employed, l cut it in the form shown in Fig. 18, the blankthus cut comprising the base f; ends c, buck at; alud curved exterior o;and after the blank is folded along the dotted lines it is served alongits edges. In making the cells of metal l first construct a frame-Work,as shown in Fig. 19, of the requisite shape7 und upon this frame-work lbuild the cells, the aluminium or other metallic Sheets being cut toproper size to fit upon the framework. The sheets, being supported bythe frame-Work, are soldered or otherwise joined along their edges; butbefore completely closing the cell the frame-Work is removed therefrom.Between the adjacent faces oi' the cells, and under the bottoms thereof,l place a. sheet, of', of strong textile fabric; which prevents thecells from bulging outward or dou-'n- Ward, and over the exterior of allthe cells 1 2 3 4 3 2 l, when in place, I pass a netting or covering, C,as shown in Fig. 1, which is fastened to the metallic baud C. In orderto further insure the retention in pince of the separate gas cells orchambers l provide each cell with bends or cords C'Z et their lowerouter edges, by which the cells may be secured to the frame-work. Thereare two rows of cells or chambers 1 2 3 l 3 2 l, one row on each side ofthe longitudinal axis of the ship; thus making in the present instancefourteen cells in all; but it is to be understood that the number ofcells or chambers may be increased or diminished, as found desirable.

I am aware that it has been proposed to snpport an air-vessel by aseries of independent gas begs or holders, each connected to andsupporting the frame of the air-ship independently of the others, andthis l do not claim.

The cells or chambers which 'form my gasholder, While independent of oneanother in one sense, are firmly secured together in place bythe nettingor covering, the cells or chambers conforming in shape with and givingthe desired form to the has-holder as a Whole. This feature, so fer as lam aware, is original with me.

The bottom of the gas-holder A., which is iat, is supported upon aframework consisting of horizontal crosspicces 5, 6, 7, S, 9, 10,11, andl2, the latter being supported at the middle upon the grate-like keel B,as shown in Fig. 1, the ends ofthe horizontal crosspieces beingconnected by means of a wire rope, C, Figs. 1 and 2, thus stiffening andbracing the framework. The binding wire or rope C, passing around theedge ofthe platform upon which the balloon or holder rests, is securedto the netting or covering, and holds the same in place by means offastenings C. (Shown in the enlarged detail view forming a part of Fig.1.) These fastenings may be either loops sewed to the netting or theymay be staples which are driven into the frame-work. rlhe keel B isfastened to the cross-pieces by means of wires or other light and strongfastenine's. Over the frame-work is extended a sheet ofsilk, rubber, orother thin and impervious material, upon which the gas-cells l 2 3 4rest, and which may or may not form the balloon-bottom, as deemed best.

D indicates the boat or cabin, which is suspended from the frame-work orthe gas-holder by means of cables D', as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring now to Figs. 3,4 4., 5, 6, and 15, the

elevating and propelling mechanism will he explained. These mechanismsare mounted upon and operated by or through the same shaft, theair-screw or elevator being directly above the propeller. In Figi 3 thccourse of the vessel is indicated by the arrow 13, while arrows 14 and15 represent, respectively, the direction of rotation of the air-screwor elevator and the propeller. In order that one side or half of eachpropeller may not interfere with or counteract the action ofthe otherhalf thereof the inner half of each is partially iuclosed in housings16, as shown in Fig. 3. The airscrew or elevator E is mounted upon ashaft, 20, orupon a hub, 19, carried thereby, the shaft 20 beingsupported at its upper and lower ends in arms 21, projecting from thehousings 16, as shown in Figs. et and 5, and carrying at its lower end abevel gear-wheel, 22. The latter wheel 22 meshes with a similargear-wheel, 23, carried upon the end of a main drivingshaft, 24, mountedin the car D. Motion may be imparted to the shaft 24 by any suitablemotor. The outer ends of the vanes of the air-screws E are connected bya band, 17, from which depend four arms, 1S, as clearly shown in Figs.4f, 14., and. l5, said arms forming snpports or hangers for the outerends ofthe radialshafts 25 of the vanes of the propellers F.

As shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the band 17, connecting the outer ends ofthe vanes ofwheel E, is formed, preferably, of a single piece ofmetalcut to proper shape and provided with four ilat triangular elevations orwings, 55, projecting upward from its upper edge,and to the triangularelevations the vancs of the wheel E are secured. The vanes are rivetedat their outer edge or periphery to the inclined wall or edge of thetriangular elevations or wings 55, as shown in Fig. 15, and thus thewheel E yis stiffened and braced and the interior` of the wheel leftopenand unobstructed. Thev band 17 may, if desired, be formed of severalpieces of metal, riveted or otherwise fastened together; but I prefer tomake it of one piece, as it renders the wheel stronger.

The vanes of the elevator or screw E may The inner ends of the shafts 25of the propeller-vanes project through the tubular nave or hub 19,wherethey are each provided with a rigid head or lever, 26, the latterprovided each with two arms, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. On one of thesearms is mounted a roller, 27, while to the other is attached a spiralspring, 28, connected to the hub 19, asshown. A tubular post or block,29, projects upward into the lower end ofthe hub or nave 19 nearly tothe shafts 25 of the vanes, as clearly shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, theupperiend of the post 29 being closed.

The head or upper end of the post or block 29 is formed with aconcentric opening occupying about one quarter of the circumference ofthe head, beneath which opening is hinged at one end a bearing plate ortrack, 30. This plate or track inclines downward from its lOO hinge, theinclination being varied as desired by means presently explained.

The head or the collar is so arranged that the roller .27,wlien movingthereon throughoutv three-quarters of a revolution of shaft 20, willmaintain the vane ina horizontal or nearly horizontal position andextend as shown in Figs. 5 and 6; but as soon as the opening is reachedthe spring rocks the vane on its axis 25 and throws the roller 27 downinto the seat or depression, and th us causes the vane to assume avertical position. Asthe shaft 2O continues its rotary motion,the roller27 rides up the inclined plate or track 30 and gradually returns thevane to a horizontal position.

In order that the inclination of the vanes may be varied so as to causethe propeller F to assist or act as an adjunct to the elevator E, thearc-shaped pivoted plate or track 30 is made adjustable and is raisedandlowered from the spring 28,

its pivot 3l as a center by means of the devices shown in Figs. 5, 7,and 8. 'The shaft 20 is eneirled bya collar or sleeve carrying at itsupper end a horizontal plate, 32, vfashioned at one end into a curvedrack-bar, 34, and carrying at a diametrically-opposite point a roller,33. The arc-shaped plate 30 is provided with an inclined spur or rib onits under side, as shown in Fig. 7, which rests upon the roller 33, andit will `be seen that as the roller 33 is moved horizontally about shaft20, one way or ered correspondingly,

will be raised or lowand thus vary the inclination the vanos assume. Tocause this movement of the plate 32, I provide a shaft, G, carrying atone end a gear-Wheel, 35, to mesh With the rack-bar 3i, and at the otherend with a gear-Wheel, 36, to mesh with a gear, II, on a shaft, I,extending into the car, as shown in Fig. 13. The shaft I is preferablyprovided with a hand-Wheel, J, as also shown in said figure. x

It will be seen that by turning the hand- Wheel J the operator may varythe inclination of the blades or vanes of the propeller-screw F.

Referring now to Figs. 9, 10, 12, and 13, the rudder and the steeringapparatus will be fully explained. The rudder is sector'shaped and iscomposed of two sections, 37 and 3S, the latter, 38, being hinged to theformer, as clearly indicated in Fig. l2, while the section 37 is rigidlysecured to the end of the tubular shaft 39. Elastic bands or springs 40(see Figs. 12 and 13) extend from the outer corners of the rudder to theframe-work of the gas-holder, so as to counterbalance the rudder in itsnormal position. (Indicated by the letter e in Fig. 13.) The hingedsection 3S is provided near its inner end with an arm, 41, to which isjointed the steering-106142, the latter being encircled by the tubularshaft 39. As the rod 42 is moved lengthwise through the rod 39, it rocksthe tail section 3S of the rudder upon its pivot, and causes it toassume either of the positions indicated by the letters ai and g; inFig. 13, or any intermediate position.

The tubular steeringrod 89 is supported within the car by a stationarybracket, K, and provided with a hand-lever, 4,3, by which to turn orrotate the rod 39 and the rudder carried thereby. The inner end of therod 42 is threaded, as shown in Fig. 9, and iits Within a threadedsleeve, 44, in the end of the tubular rod 39, the sleeve being providedwith a hand-wheel, d5. The latter is rigidly secured upon thesleeveeeland provided with a grooved hub or collar,which latter, inconnection with a grooved bracket or holder, d6, prevents end movementof the sleevcdl. As the hand-wheel 45 isturncd or rotated, it causes asimilar movement of the sleeve d4 and causes the rod L12 to move into orout of the sleeve 44, according to the direction in which the latter isturned. A modification of this device is illustrated in Fig. 10, whereinthe end of the rod 42 is con nected to the upper end of a lever, 48,pivoted to a bracket, 1:7 and Weighted at its lower end.

It is only necessary to roel; the lever 48 upon its pivot, and thus movethe rod 42 in or out, as desired, and to swing it laterally to turn therudder obliquely to the normal plane.

the other, the plate 30 In order to compensate for the Weight of theoccupants and preserve the vessel in a horizontal position, I provide ashifting weight, 49, which is adapted to run on Wire ropes or tracks L,as shown in Figs. 11 and 13, the Weight or ballast 4&9 being secured toand moved by an endless band, 53, passing over pulleys 50 and 52, asshown.

The pulley 52 is carried by a vertical shaft, 51. Said shaft is providedwith a hand-Wheel, 54, by which it may be turned.

I do not Wish to he understood as claiming, broadly, a rudder adapted tobe rotated about its longitudinal airis and to be deflected laterally tosaid axis, nor the application of a movable counter-Weight to anair-vessel, as I am aware that both of these devices are old and wellknown.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In an air-vessel,the combination of the gasholder A, formed of a series of independentgas-cells, a covering for said holder, a horizontal framework upon whichsaid holder rests, a binding rope or band secured to the ends of thetimbers of the framework, and fastenings securing the netting orcovering to the hand, substantially as shown and described.

2. In au air-vessel, the combination of gasholder A, theelevatingscreivs E, propellers F, below the latter, and a shaft, 20,common to both the screw and the propeller.

3. In an air-vessel, the combination, with the elevating-screw E, thepropeller F, below the latter, having oscillating vanos, and a cam ortrack for rocking said van'es at predetermined intervals, whereby thepropeller may be caused to assist in elevating, asdesired.

4. In on air-vessel, the combination, with the housing 16 and shaft 20,the arm 2l, for supporting said shaft, elevating-screnr E, band 1i',encircling said screw, depending arms 18, hub 19, and vane-shafts 25,journaled at one end in the arms 1S and at the other end in the hub 19.

5. In an air-vessel, in combination With the housing 16, shaft 20,arnis21, for supporting said shaft, hub 19, elevatingscreiv E, propeller F,provided with vane-shaft 25, rocking head 26, provided with two arms anda roller, 27, spring 28, secured to said head, and cam-surface 3Q, foractuating the rockinghead, arranged and operating substantially asdescribed.

6. In combination with shaft 20, hub or nave 19, vane-shaft 25, aspring, 28, secured thereto and to the nave or the end of the nave 19and provided with an inclined plate, 30, as and for the purposedescribed.

7. In combination with nave or hub 19, shaft 20, post 29, inserted inthe end of the hub 19 and having a closed end, and an arc-shaped plate,30, pivoted to the post 29, as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In an aerial vessel, the combinatiomwith the propeller F, itsvane-shafts 25, levers 26 thereon, and its shaft 20, of a post, 29,rigidly secured to the vessel, a hub, 19, secured to the shaft 20 androtating therewith, and a plate, 30, pivoted at one end to the top ofthe post 29 and adapted to rise and fall, whereby the blades of thepropeller are caused to oscillate hub, collar 29, inserted in IOO IIO

upon their axes to a greater or less extent as the plate is raised orlowered.

9. In an aerial vessel, the combination,with the propeller F and itsshaft 20 and hub 19, the fixed post 29 and its pivoted plate 30,arranged substantially as shown, of a plate, 32, rotating freely uponthe shaft 2O and provided with wheel 33 and rack 34, a gear-wheel, 35,meshing with the rack, and shafts G I, arranged, substantially asshown,4to rotate the plate 32 and thereby cause the plate 30 to rise orto fall, as and for the purpose forth.

10. In combination with the rudder having the hinged plate 38, theelastic ban ds or springs 40, connected to the hinged plate and to thebody of the vessel, as and for the purpose set forth.

11. In combination with the tubular steering-rod 39, the rudder securedthereto and having the pivoted taitplate, and the reciprocating rod 42Within the tubular rodv 39, con nected to the pivoted tail 3S.

12. In combination with tubular rod 39, the rudder secured thereto andcomposed of sections 37 and 38, rod 42, connected to the section 38,extending through the tubular rod 39, and threaded at its end, abracket, K, a handlever, 43, connected to shaft 39 and adapted to rockthe same, sleeve 44, fitted in the end of rod 39 and threaded to receivethe end of rod 42, a clamp, 46, or its equivalent, for preventing endmovement ofthe sleeve 44, and a handwheel, 45, for rotating said sleeveand causing a reciprocation of the rod.

13. In an air-vessel, the combination, with the ways or guides L and theweight 49, of the endless band 53 and the pulleys 50 and 52 at oppositeends of the band.

14. In an air-vessel, the combination, with the ways or guides Land theweight 49, of the endless band 53, pulleys and 52 at opposite endsthereof, a vertical shaft, 51, and a handwheel, 54, arranged andoperating substantially as described.

15. In combination with tubular shaft 39, provided with a lever forturning it, rudder 37 38, carried by said shaft, rod 42, connected withthe movable section 38 of therudder, and means, substantially asdescribed, for moving` the rod 42 longitudinally.

16. In an air-ship, the elevator or screw E, composed of band 17,provided with vertical elevations 55, and the vanes attached at theirperipheries to the elevations, substantially as shown.

17. In an air-ship, the combination of the vertical shaft 20, the band17, providedwith vertical elevations 55 and depending arms 18, and thevanes secured at the outer edge to the elevations, as shown.

18. In an aerial vessel, the combination,with the frame-Work, of theseparate independent cells mounted thereupon side by side, the sheets c6between the adjacent faces of the cells and between their bottoms andthe frame-work, the cords or bands C2, secured to each cell, the net orcovering C3, and the binding band or rope C, all constructed andarranged substan tially as shown and described.

ARCHER WAKEMAN, D. QUINLAN.

